Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Web site [for November], which like the timing of the production capitalizes on primary-season excitement, resembles a campaign site, with stars and stripes and clickable icons to “contribute” (purchase tickets) or “meet his staff” (read actors’ biographies). Chris Powers, director for strategic marketing at Situation Marketing, which also created Web sites for current productions like “Spring Awakening” and “The Homecoming,” said the firm was at first not optimistic about enlisting Mr. Mamet, a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Hollywood writer and director, and novelist.

“We came up with the idea but thought, ‘David Mamet will never write it,’ ” Mr. Powers said.

But Jeffrey Richards, one of the play’s producers, said he barely had to ask.

“I was talking about the Web site to David and I said, ‘Would you be willing — ’ and he finished the sentence for me,” Mr. Richards said. “He said, ‘I know where you’re going: you want me to write a blog as Charles H. P. Smith. Let’s do it.’”

Through the play’s producers, Mr. Mamet declined to comment, either as himself or one of his characters. He will blog for the duration of the play, an unlimited engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Of course, Charles Smith is the name of the play's fictional president. And, caveat lector, it's in his voice the author is blogging. Though with some statements, it may be hard to tell the difference. ("It should be recognized that information can be extracted only from those people possessing information; and that no one likes to give up their possessions without a little waterboarding.")

Hey, what do you expect a Hollywood writer to do with his time when there's a strike?